Rock structural changes monitored by fibre bragg grating sensors and nuclear magnetic resonance during static and dynamic carbonated brine core flooding experiments

One proposed solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the capture and storage of carbon dioxide (CCS) in geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Injected carbon dioxide (CO2) forms carbonic acid once dissolved in the formation water, which can lead to dissolution of certain types of rock minerals. This may weaken rock geomechanical properties that can jeopardize the safety of long-term storage. In this work, the use of Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors associated with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was investigated to measure the change in rock strain during core flooding experiments. Optical fibres were glued onto two synthetically calcite cemented sandstone rock samples (called CIPS). The samples were saturated with dead brine followed by live brine. The FBG sensors accurately monitored a change of approximately −30 ustrain during dead brine migration at a fast rate within 10–20 min, and then the FBG strain became constant when the sample reached 100% saturation. Exposing the CIPS to live brine induced up to −1000 ustrain in a dynamic injection exercise and – 250 ustrain in the static condition, these changes occurred after 5 h exposure, which was interpreted as the result of fluid-rock interactions occurred within the sample. Those changes continued to increase over the next 35 h, albeit at lower rate. The NMR T2, spatial T2 and FBG data confirmed structural changes within the rock samples. X-ray Computer Tomography (CT) imaging also supported the structural change at certain locations in the sample while featuring good agreement with FBG results. Overall, FBG sensing technology associated with NMR can accurately measure the changes in rock strain during core flooding experiments, while allowing it to monitor the reservoir\u27s geo-mechanical strength which is a key factor to ensure the long-term safety of CO2 storage

Monitoring fluid migration using in-situ nuclear magnetic resonance core flooding system integrated with fiber optic sensors: A proof of concept

In-situ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) core flooding system has enabled researchers to monitor several rock properties such as porosity, pore size distribution, and fluid saturation along the tested samples with high resolutions and under reservoir conditions. However, spatially resolved rock strength/mechanical property alteration coupled to fluid migration/substitution remains poorly characterized. To this end, Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) multiplex sensors were integrated with NMR core flooding system to monitor rock strength changes, or generally speaking, to observe hydro-mechanical-chemical coupling mechanisms during core flooding tests. In this study, we present a novel approach on how to conduct core flooding experiments, while simultaneously monitoring NMR and FBG strain response of the tested limestone plug. The NMR cell was modified to integrate FBG technology without impeding the NMR signal and core flooding high pressure/temperature capacity. A high spatial resolution optical fiber was attached onto the sample radial surface. The results show the successful association of NMR and FBG sensors to track any change at each stage of brine injection. The FBG is capable of measuring the rock strain variations induced by rock-fluid interactions during brine injection, allowing it to capture the fluid front location along with the sample and at a faster rate than the NMR

Molecular Localization of Human Papillomaviru_18 (HPV_18) in Tissues from Thyroid Carcinoma in Mid-Euphrates

خلفية علمية: سرطان الغدة الدرقية هو السرطان الذي يبدأ في الغدة الدرقية و التي يعتقد أنها مرتبطة بتهيئة عدد من العوامل البيئية و الوراثية تربط  Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) المسبب لسرطان عنق الرحم ، وأيضا يعتبر المسبب لسرطان الحنجرة والذي يعد واحد من العوامل المعدية ذات الصلة.الهدف : تهدف هذه الدراسة للكشف عن الحمض النووي ل Human Papilloma Virus-18  باستخدام تقنية situ hybridization technique في أنسجة الغدة الدرقية المأخوذة من تضخم الغدة الدرقية الحميد و سرطان الغدة الدرقية ، و توضيح العلاقة بين هذا الورم الناجم عن HPV-18 وسرطان الغدة الدرقية.المرضى و طرق العمل : ستين ( 60 ) عينة من formalin-fixed paraffin ، وتم الحصول على أنسجة الغدة الدرقية كالتالي، من بينهم ( 30) خزعة نسيجية من سرطان الغدة الدرقية من الصنف الأول و ( 20) عينة من الأنسجة الحميدة Thyroidneoplasm وكذلك ( 10) من تشريح أنسجة الغدة الدرقية العادية التي تم جمعها من أرشيف معهد الطب العدلي/ بابل باستخدام عينات الغدة الدرقية لأصحاء. وقد تم الكشف عن فيروس Human Papilloma Virus-18  باستخدام نسخة حساسة للغاية من situ hybridization technique.النتائج : من بين أورام الغدة الدرقية الخبيثة نسبة ا 56.7 ٪ من المرضى مصابين بالفيروس HPV - 18 في حين تم الكشف عن 35 ٪ من مجموعة ورم الغدة الدرقية الحميدة مصابين بالفيروس HPV - 18   . لم تظهر أي من عينات مجموعة السيطرة ISH reactions. كان 32.7 ٪ إناث مصابات بفيروس HPV – 18، في حين كان 24 ٪ من الذكور مصابين بفيروس HPV – 18. ولم تظهر أي دلالة إحصائية بين وجود الفيروس وعمر هؤلاء المرضى .الاستنتاجات : HPV – 18 أن له دورا بالمشاركة في التسبب في الإصابة لدى مجموعة المرضى الذين يعانون من سرطان الغدة الدرقية.Background: THilnahyroid cancer is a cancer that starts in the thyroid gland and thought to be related to a number of environmental and genetic predisposing factors .Human Papil- loma Virus (HPV) the virus that causes cervical cancer ,is also linked to throat cancer and is one among their associated infective agents. Objective: This study aimed at detecting DNA of HPV genotype-18 using in situ hybridization technique in thyroid tissues from benign thyroid hyperplasia and thyroid car- cinoma, and elucidate the association between this HPV-18 and thyroid carcinogenesis. Patients and Methods: Sixty (60) formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded thyroid tissue blocks were obtained ,among them (30) tissue biopsies from thyroid carcinoma with grade I and (20) benign thyroid neoplasm tissue blocks as well as (10) autopsies from apparently normal thyroid tissues were collected from the archives of Forensic Medicine Institute / Babil and used as thyroid healthy control group. Detection of HPV-18 was done by using highly sensitive version of in situ hybridization technique. Results: Among malignant thyroid tumors 56.7% patients had HPV-18 while 35% HPV- 18 positivity was detected in benign thyroid tumor group. None of healthy thyroid tissues revealed ISH reactions. There was 32.7% female had HPV-18, and 24% male had HPV-18. No significant statistical associations were noticed between the presence of HPV-18 and the age of those patients. Conclusion: Human Papilloma virus genotype-18 could share a role in pathogenesis of this group of patients with thyroid cancers

Strain measurement with multiplexed FBG sensor arrays: An experimental investigation

In conventional rock mechanics testing, radial strain measuring devices are usually attached to the sample\u27s surface at its mid-height. Although this procedure provides a realistic picture of the lateral deformation undergone by homogeneous samples, however, this assumption may not be accurate if the tested rock has significant heterogeneity. Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors have recently been introduced to various rock testing applications due to their versatility over conventional strain gauges and radial cantilevers. FBG sensors have small size, multiplexing capability, and immunity to magnetic interference. The main objective of this study is to explore and understand the capabilities of FBG sensing for strain measurement during rock mechanics testing, including under confining. To do so, two limestone plugs (Savonnières limestone) and one acrylic Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) plug, all of 38 mm diameter, were prepared. The acrylic plug and one of the Savonnières samples plugs were subjected to Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests. The second Savonnières plug was subjected to a hydrostatic test up to 20 MPa confining at room temperature. FBG sensors of 125 μm cladding diameter with ceramics (Ormocer) coating were glued on the surface of each sample, spreading across the entire sample\u27s height. Strain gauges and cantilever-type radial gauges were used on the samples submitted to UCS for comparison. Results show that radial strain measurements and calculated elastic properties derived from the FBG readings for samples are comparable to readings from the conventional strain gauges and cantilever-type devices. Apparent bulk moduli based on volumetric strain computed from FBG radial strain readings during the hydrostatic test on the Savonnières sample was consistent with benchtop measurements conducted on the Savonnières sample and another plug extracted from the same parental block, as well as published literature data. Moreover, variations in the calculated elastic properties are interpreted as evidence that the FBG sensors detected heterogeneities in the samples\u27 inner structure, which can be seen in the density profiles computed from x-ray CT images. Such observation confirms the potential of the presented FBG sensors configuration for 3D strain mapping in rock mechanics tests

Optimizing the Forces of Climbing Robots

Climbing robots have the potential to be used in diverse applications, such as cleaning sky scrapers, maintaining of maritime structures, and conducting search and rescues. The focus of this thesis is on optimizing the forces of a climbing robot loitering on vertical surfaces. The optimization is primarily achieved through on minimizing the maximum normal adhesion force on the tips of the legs of a six-legged climbing robot as well as the maximum torque experienced by the joints. In this theses, the model of a six legged robot is simplified into a two dimensional structure with three legs. Furthermore, this simplified robotic model was validated by the use of biomimicry; in which the stance of the ants is analyzed using the same model and verified that their posture indeed minimizes the maximum adhesion on the tips of their legs. The optimal normal adhesion force for a climbing robot is calculated using a closed form solution. For robots with position controlled legs, the effects of different geometrical parameters and the stiffness of the materials, used to build the structure of the robot are investigated with a focus on maximum normal adhesion. Calculation of the forces on the structure uses the Finite Element Method (FEM). For robots with force/torque controlled legs, the effect of geometric parameters, specifically the height and, the length of the robot and the position of the middle leg, are also investigated with emphasis on maximum normal adhesion. The effects of the investigated parameters are summarized and presented as guidelines for the design of climbing robots. Also, the non-linear and non-differentiable problem of minimizing the maximum torque on the joints of the robot, that uses the optimal normal adhesion force on the tips of their legs, is addressed only for robots with force/torque controlled legs. Finally, a transformation that converts the problem into a linear form is presented. The proposed method was found to outperform three other widely used algorithms in terms of speed and accuracy

Assessing the impact of oral isotretinoin on the menstrual cycle: A prospective study on predictors of menstrual irregularities

Background and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the association between the use of oral isotretinoin and menstrual irregularities in acne patients with previously regular menstrual cycles. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 58,599 female patients aged 14 to 36 at King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid, Jordan. The patients were followed for a period of 4.5 to 8 months during treatment and for 2 months post-treatment. Menstrual cycle changes were documented, and statistical analysis was performed to identify any significant associations. Results: A total of 111 (37.1%) patients, who were previously known to have regular menstrual cycles, complained of menstrual changes while using oral isotretinoin. Ninety-nine of those patients who complained of menstrual changes had their cycles back to normal post-treatment. There is a significant difference in the total accumulative dose between those with changes in menses and those without; p-value [0.008]. The most common change that occurred was amenorrhea (p < 0.001), followed by oligomenorrhea and menorrhagia (p < 0.001 and p = 0.050, respectively). The duration of treatment was a significant predictor of menstrual irregularities, with an odds ratio (OR) of 5.106 (95% CI: 1.371–19.020, p = 0.015), indicating a higher likelihood of menstrual changes with increased treatment duration. The total accumulative dose was also significantly associated with menstrual irregularities (OR = 0.964; 95% CI: 0.939–0.990; p = 0.006). Additionally, a family history of PCOS significantly increased the odds of menstrual irregularities (OR = 3.783; 95% CI: 1.314–10.892; p = 0.014). Conclusions: The study identified that 37.1% of the participants experienced changes in their menstrual cycles while undergoing isotretinoin therapy, with the vast majority (89.2%) returning to normal within two months post-treatment. Our logistic regression analysis pinpointed the duration of isotretinoin treatment, the total accumulative dose, and a family history of PCOS as significant predictors of menstrual irregularities

Epidemiological investigation of foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in a vaccinated Egyptian dairy herd with analysis of associated risk factors

This study was conducted to investigate an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in a vaccinated dairy herd (n = 4,145) and to identify the associated risk factors. Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) A Asia Iran-05 and SAT2 Libya 12-like viral RNAs were detected in clinical samples. Our data indicates that the outbreak occurred due to introduction of a field virus into cattle with minimal matching protective immune response. Previous vaccination with a multivalent vaccine did not prevent replication of a field virus that is an antigenic match to one of the vaccine seed viruses; with subsequent development of a mixed infection. The total cumulative incidence for the 31-day follow up period was 49.8% and the total mortality rate was 0.8%. The total incidence rate was 21 cases/1,000 cows/day, with confidence interval (CI) 20.32, 22.15. Analysis of epidemiological data revealed that lactation is the primary factor in disease development and mortalities in dairy herds (P < 0.005), possibly due to increased frequency of exposure and higher virus loads. Within this group, cows with 1 parity are more vulnerable in terms of disease development (relative risk 1.2, CI 1.121, 1.285) but not mortalities (P = 0.359). Correlations between FMD development and age should only be considered in the context of the reproductive state. Our analysis revealed that a reduction of the overall disease impact can be achieved by reduction of virus burdens in farms during outbreaks